Computer-implemented systems and methods for using a blockchain to perform an atomic swap

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented security method is provided. The method may be implemented on one or more blockchains, such as the Bitcoin Cash blockchain. The method comprises the steps of: converting a first secret value (S2) accessible to a first user into a first derived public key (P2), and transmitting the first derived public key to the second user; converting a second secret value (S1) accessible to a second user into a second derived public key (P1), and transmitting the second derived public key to the first user; calculating a third derived public key (P_AE) based at least in part on the first derived public key; calculating a fourth derived public key (P_BE) based at least in part on the second derived public key; applying a one-way function to each of the first secret value and the second secret value to create respective first and second veiled secret values (H(S2), H(S1)); communicating the first veiled secret value from a first user to a second user and the second veiled secret value from the second user to the first user; and constructing first and second blockchain transactions (tx1, tx2) each comprising the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value, the transactions arranged to be unlockable to transfer control of a respective first or second resource upon provision of both the first secret value and the second secret value to the respective transaction, wherein unlocking of the first blockchain transaction causes the first secret value to be revealed to the second user, and unlocking of the second blockchain transaction causes the second secret value to be revealed to the first user, and wherein revelation of the first secret value to the second user enables the second user to calculate a second private key (S2) corresponding to the third derived public key, and revelation of the second secret value to the first user enables the first user to calculate a first private key (S1) corresponding to the fourth derived public key.

This invention relates generally to a computer-implemented security method, and cryptographic techniques. More particularly, it relates to a method for atomically exchanging the control of resources. The invention is particularly suited, but not limited, to use on one or more blockchains and associated protocols.

In this document we use the term ‘blockchain’ to include all forms of electronic, computer-based, distributed ledgers. These include consensus-based blockchain and transaction-chain technologies, permissioned and un-permissioned ledgers, shared ledgers and variations thereof. The most widely known application of blockchain technology is the Bitcoin ledger, although other blockchain implementations have been proposed and developed. While Bitcoin may be referred to herein for the purpose of convenience and illustration, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to use with the Bitcoin blockchain and alternative blockchain implementations and protocols fall within the scope of the present invention. The term “user” may refer herein to a human or a processor-based resource. Also, the term “Bitcoin” is used herein to include all versions and variations of protocol/platform which derive from or are based on the Bitcoin protocol/platform.

A blockchain is a peer-to-peer, electronic ledger which is implemented as a computer-based decentralised, distributed system made up of blocks which in turn are made up of transactions. Each transaction is a data structure that encodes the transfer of control of a digital asset or resource between participants in the blockchain system, and includes at least one input and at least one output. Each block contains a hash of the previous block to that blocks become chained together to create a permanent, unalterable record of all transactions which have been written to the blockchain since its inception. Transactions contain small programs known as scripts embedded into their inputs and outputs, which specify how and by whom the outputs of the transactions can be accessed. On the Bitcoin platform, these scripts are written using a stack-based scripting language.

In order for a transaction to be written to the blockchain, it must be “validated”. Network nodes (miners) perform work to ensure that each transaction is valid, with invalid transactions rejected from the network. Software clients installed on the nodes perform this validation work on an unspent transaction (UTXO) by executing its locking and unlocking scripts. If execution of the locking and unlocking scripts evaluate to TRUE, the transaction is valid and the transaction is written to the blockchain. Thus, in order for a transaction to be written to the blockchain, it must be i) validated by the first node that receives the transaction—if the transaction is validated, the node relays it to the other nodes in the network; and ii) added to a new block built by a miner; and iii) mined, i.e. added to the public ledger of past transactions.

Although blockchain technology is most widely known for the use of cryptocurrency implementation, digital entrepreneurs have begun exploring the use of both the cryptographic security system Bitcoin is based on and the data that can be stored on the Blockchain to implement new systems. It would be highly advantageous if the blockchain could be used for automated tasks and processes which are not limited to the realm of cryptocurrency. Such solutions would be able to harness the benefits of the blockchain (e.g. a permanent, tamper proof records of events, distributed processing etc) while being more versatile in their applications.

The concept of an atomic swap has previously been discussed in the cryptocurrency community. The exchange between the parties is “atomic” in the sense that all participants receive their desired resource (e.g. cryptocurrency token or coin) or none do. At the time of writing, Wikipedia describes an atomic swap as “a proposed feature in cryptocurrencies that allows for the exchange of one cryptocurrency for another cryptocurrency without the need for a trusted third party. In traditional cryptocurrencies a trusted third party such as a cryptocurrency exchange is necessary to perform a swap of cryptocurrencies in order to prevent one party from sending a currency without receiving a currency in return. An atomic swap system uses a hash time-locked smart contract so that a party must deliver the currency to be swapped within a specified time, or else the transaction will be cancelled. This preserves atomicity in that either the swap will take place, or no currency will be swapped”—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_swap.

However, proposed atomic swap solutions involve the use of only one secret, and the swap is performed asynchronously. This creates the disadvantage that one transaction has to be spent before the other can be spent. Moreover,

Thus, it is desirable to provide a cryptographically-enforced resource exchange method of atomically exchanging resources assets having the trustlessness and immutability provided by blockchain technology, and which enhances security in respect of transfers conducted over blockchain-implemented networks.

Such an improved solution has now been devised.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented exchange, interchange or transfer method. According to an additional or alternative definition, the first aspect provides a security method which controls when a resource may or may not be transmitted across the network from a sender to a recipient. Additionally or alternatively, the invention provides a method and corresponding system arranged to perform an atomic exchange or atomic transmission of values via a blockchain. The method may comprise the steps of:

-   -   (i) converting a first secret value accessible to a first user         into a first derived public key, and transmitting the first         derived public key to a second user;     -   (ii) converting a second secret value accessible to the second         user into a second derived public key, and transmitting the         second derived public key to the first user;     -   (iii) calculating a third derived public key based at least in         part on the first derived public key;     -   (iv) calculating a fourth derived public key based at least in         part on the second derived public key;     -   (v) applying a one-way function to each of the first secret         value and the second secret value to create respective first and         second veiled secret values;     -   (vi) communicating the first veiled secret value from the first         user to the second user and the second veiled secret value from         the second user to the first user; and     -   (vii) constructing first and second blockchain transactions each         comprising the first veiled secret value and the second veiled         secret value, the transactions arranged to be unlockable to         transfer control of a respective first or second resource upon         provision of both the first secret value and the second secret         value to the respective transaction,         wherein unlocking of the first blockchain transaction causes the         first secret value to be revealed to the second user, and         unlocking of the second blockchain transaction causes the second         secret value to be revealed to the first user, and         wherein revelation of the first secret value to the second user         enables the second user to calculate a second private key         corresponding to the third derived public key, and revelation of         the second secret value to the first user enables the first user         to calculate a first private key corresponding to the fourth         derived public key.

The method may provide an atomic exchange mechanism by comprising at least two transactions (Tx1 and Tx2), each transaction having at least one unspent output (UTXO) which can only be unlocked upon provision of the required criteria to a plurality of puzzles or scripts associated with the respective output. In other words, the locking and unlocking criteria for an unspent output in the first transaction may be the same as, and mirrored by, the locking criteria for an unspent output in the or another transaction.

Provision of the required unlocking criteria to the unspent output in a first transaction may reveal, or make accessible, one or more secret values required to unlock the unspent output in the or another transaction. An unlocking script containing the secret values may be provided in an input of a subsequent transaction which spends an output in the first or second transaction. Once the unlocking script of the subsequent transaction is executed together with the locking script of the first or second transaction, the subsequent transaction may be validated and subsequently published on a blockchain, which causes the one or more secret values provided in an input of the subsequent transaction to be accessible or readable from the blockchain.

This method provides a secure way of ensuring that private keys are atomically exchanged in a trustless environment, where no user of the method has more control over the method than the other user. A secret value is related to a corresponding veiled secret value in that the secret value is not feasibly determinable from the veiled secret value, but the veiled secret value is feasibly determinable from the secret value. An example of this relationship is where the application of a one-way function, such as hashing, or modulo arithmetic, to a secret value provides the veiled secret value. Thus, according to one definition, a veiled (secret) value may be one which can be, or has been, derived from an original (secret) value, but which cannot be used to determine the original (secret) value. It may not be feasibly reverse-engineered to provide the original value.

The phrase “unlocking a transaction” may include the meaning of unlocking or spending at least one unspent output (UTXO) provided in the transaction. This may be achieved by providing the required data/unlocking script necessary to satisfy a locking script associated with the unspent output.

At least one of the first transaction and the second transaction may be configured to be redeemable (spendable) only upon the application or provision of the respective first private key and second private key.

This provides the advantage that only an intended recipient, indicated by their private key, is able to unlock a transaction.

The method may further comprise the step of calculating at least one of: (a) a first derived public key based at least in part on a first public key of the first user; and (b) a second derived public key based at least in part of a second public key of the second user, wherein the first derived public key is part of a cryptographic key pair with the first private key and the second derived public key is part of a cryptographic key pair with the second private key.

This enables an asset or resource to be stored at an address that is derived rather than publically known, providing additional privacy and security to a user of the method. It should be noted that the terms “asset” and “resource” may used interchangeably herein. The term “asset” should not be interpreted solely as having a financial context or use. The asset could, for example, be a token which represents some other entity on or off the blockchain.

The step of calculating at least one of: (a) the first derived public key based at least in part on a first public key of the first user; and (b) the second derived public key based at least in part of a second public key of the second user may further comprise a combination of the first and second veiled secret values.

This provides the advantage of providing a recorded and indelible link between the transactions and the atomic swap being performed.

The combination of the first and second veiled secret values may comprise at least one of a concatenation of the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value, and a concatenation of at least one veiled secret value with a random or pseudo-random value.

This provides the advantage of further increasing the security of the transaction via additional deterministic obfuscation.

The method may further comprise the step of constructing at least one of: a third blockchain transaction configured to return control of the first resource to the first user responsive to elapse of a first time period of non-redemption of the first transaction; and a fourth blockchain transaction configured to return control of the second resource to the second user responsive to elapse of a second time period of non-redemption of the second transaction.

This enables at least one user of the method to have control of a respective resource to be returned to them in the event that a further user does not fully participate in the exchange, thereby increasing the versatility of the method.

At least one of the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value may comprise a combination of at least one of the first secret value and the second secret value with a shared secret value accessible by both the first user and second user.

This provides the advantage of increasing privacy and security provided by the method.

The shared secret value may be established prior to step (i) as a common secret.

This provides the advantage of further increasing the security of the method.

The method may further comprise the following steps:

-   -   (viii) generating at least one sequence of veiled secret values         starting from at least one of the first secret value and the         second secret value;     -   (ix) executing the method of any preceding claim using at least         one of the first secret value and the second secret value;     -   (x) redeeming at least one blockchain transaction to reveal at         least one of the first secret value and the second secret value,         thereby causing at least one veiled secret value of the sequence         to be revealed.

This enables a chain of secure atomic exchanges to be performed with greater efficiency than a simple repetition of the method, because less storage space is required to store the secrets. Furthermore, fewer rounds of communication are required. This saves time and improves security.

The step of executing at least step (vii) of the method may use at least one veiled secret value revealed in step (x) of the method.

This provides the advantage of further increasing the efficiency of the method.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described herein. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart illustrating the steps taken in a method embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example system to determine a common secret for a first node and second node, as may be used in accordance with the present invention for secure transmission of highly sensitive information;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of computer-implemented methods for determining a common secret as may be used in accordance with the present invention for secure transmission of highly sensitive information;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of computer-implemented methods to register the first and second nodes; and

FIG. 5 is another flow chart of computer-implemented methods for determining a common secret as may be used in accordance with the present invention for secure transmission of highly sensitive information.

An atomic transaction exchange on a blockchain means that for two transactions, one from a first user, Alice, to a second user, Bob, and another from Bob to Alice, either both transactions are completed or neither are completed.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention involves enabling Alice and Bob to each create secrets, denoted A₀ and B₀ respectively 30. If Alice and Bob are trustworthy then they can exchange information, including these secrets, using a communication channel which is not be part of the blockchain protocol. The may use a secure secret exchange as described below beneath the subtitle Determination of a common secret.

Suppose that one party is not trustworthy and does not share their secret. The present invention provides that the only way for this party to spend their funds is to reveal their secret on the blockchain, thereby causing the secret to become public knowledge and available to the other user. This is due to the configuration of the transaction used in the exchange. Therefore, the method does not require either party to trust the other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there are two secrets: one generated by and accessible to Alice and the other generated by and accessible to Bob. These are communicated through an off-blockchain channel.

Single Atomic Swap

Let P_(A) ₀ denote the elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) public key of Alice with corresponding private key S_(A) ₀ , and let P_(B) ₀ denote the public key of Bob with private key S_(B) ₀ .

-   1. At 30, Alice chooses a secret A₀∈     _(n)* known only to herself and Bob chooses a secret B₀∈     _(n)* known only to himself. (These secrets are not related to the     public or private keys of Alice and Bob.) Here, n is the order of     the elliptic curve generator point G. The secret may be in the form     of a general data structure which has been passed through a SHA256     (mod n) algorithm. -   2. Alice and Bob open a communication channel between them. This may     be a secure communication channel created using the method described     below beneath the subtitle Determination of a common secret. They     then hash their respective secrets (step 34) and share their public     keys and the hashes of their respective secrets (step 36). The hash     values of A₀ and B₀ are denoted H(A₀) and H(B₀) respectively, where     a standard hash function such as SHA-256 may be used. The values     H(A₀) and H(B₀) may also be publicly shared. Alice and Bob now both     know

P _(A) ₀ ,P _(B) ₀ ,H(A ₀),H(B ₀).

-   3. At 38, Alice and Bob calculate the deterministic key

H(A ₀)|H(B ₀),

where “|” denotes the operation OP_CAT, or, alternatively, a derived hash such as

H(H(A ₀)|H(B ₀)).

-   4. At 40, Alice and Bob now create derived public keys

Alice: P _(A) ₁ =P _(A) ₀ +(H(A ₀)|H(B ₀))·G

Bob: P _(B) ₁ =P _(B) ₀ +(H(A ₀)|H(B ₀))·G.

-   -   which have corresponding private keys

Alice: S _(A) ₁ =S _(A) ₀ +H(A ₀)|H(B ₀)

Bob: S _(B) ₁ =S _(B) ₀ +H(A ₀)|H(B ₀).

-   -   Alice and Bob will use the derived public keys P_(A) ₁ , P_(B) ₁         to perform the atomic swap. In principle, they could use their         original public keys P_(A) ₀ , P_(B) ₀ , however the derived         public keys have the advantage that they are tied to the atomic         swap and can easily be calculated by Alice and Bob but not to         anyone else (unless H(A₀) and H(B₀) have been made public).     -   Added privacy may be achieved if a deterministic pseudo-random         seeming value is also incorporated, such as:

H(A ₀)|H(B ₀)|Z

-   -   where Z is something both parties can calculate, such as a Zeta         function, agreed in advance based on a shared starting value.

-   5. At 42, Alice and Bob construct the following locking scripts.     Here, the scripts are described schematically, with an exemplary     implementation in Bitcoin script illustrated later.

LockingScript(A)=CheckSig H(P _(A) _(i) ) AND Solve H(A ₀) AND Solve H(B ₀)

LockingScript(B)=CheckSig H(P _(B) _(i) ) AND Solve H(A ₀) AND Solve H(B ₀)

The process CheckSig H(P_(A) ₁ ) is the standard ECDSA signature validation operation for public/private key pair P_(A) ₁ , S_(A) ₁ . Instead, CheckSig H(P_(A) ₀ ) may be used, which is a standard ECDSA signature validation with public/private key pair P_(A) ₀ , S_(A) ₀ . The process Solve H(A₀) is a hash puzzle with solution A₀, meaning that the unlocking script must contain a valid value A₀ that when hashed is equal to H(A₀) as provided in the locking script. The unlocking scripts are given by

UnlockingScript(A)=[B ₀][A ₀][sig P _(A)][P _(A) _(i) ]

UnlockingScript(B)=[B ₀][A ₀][Sig P _(B) _(i) ][P _(B) _(i) ].

-   -   Here it can be seen that if either Alice or Bob unlock their         funds they will necessarily expose the values A₀ and B₀ on the         blockchain.

-   6. At 42, Alice creates a transaction tx₁ to P_(B) ₁ with locking     script LockingScript(B) and Bob creates a transaction tx₂ to P_(A) ₁     with locking script LockingScript(A). At this stage neither Alice     nor Bob can spend the funds at P_(A) ₁ and P_(B) ₁ since neither     party knows both A₀ and B₀. These transactions are sent to the     network and subsequently appear on the blockchain.

-   7. At 46C, Alice sends Bob her secret A₀ and Bob sends Alice his     secret B₀. This is performed using the communication channel between     Alice and Bob established above. Alice and Bob may check that these     are the correct values by confirming that their hash values are     equal to H(A₀) and H(B₀).

-   8. Assuming Alice and Bob are both honest and share their correct     secrets, then both parties know both secrets (step 48C) and both may     spend the funds locked in P_(A) ₁ and P_(B) ₁ (step 50C), and the     atomic swap is complete.

-   9. Suppose, for example, that Bob does not send his correct secret     B₀ to Alice. That is, suppose only Alice sends her secret, and step     46B occurs rather than 46C. Due to the form of the locking script     LockingScript(B), in order for Bob to spend the funds locked P_(B) ₁     he must publicly expose his secret B₀ in the unlocking script. As a     result, as soon as Bob spends his funds, Alice learns Bob's secret     (step 48B) and therefore becomes able to spend her funds in P_(A) ₁     (step 50B). This ensures that either both Alice and Bob can spend     their funds or neither can spend their funds.

Below are exemplary locking and unlocking scripts for Alice in step 4 above, compatible with the Bitcoin blockchain.

Locking script for Alice:

-   OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <Hash160 P_(A) ₁ > OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG     OP_HASH256 <Hash256 A₀> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_HASH256 <Hash256 B₀>     OP_EQUALVERIFY

Unlocking script for Alice:

-   <B₀> <A₀> <Sig P_(A) ₁ > <P_(A) ₁ >

Note that transactions to Pay To Public Key Hash (P2PKH) addresses and Pay To Script Hash (P2SH) addresses both allow for locking and unlocking scripts of the above type. For P2SH addresses, the locking script is presented as the hash of a redeem script containing the same information.

The method above is described with reference to a blockchain that uses a public/private key encryption system similar to the ECSDA used on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, the method can be generalised to a general encryption mechanism that requires a general form of a secret (which may be an arbitrary data structure) to be exposed in an unlocking script. Required are a locking script, transaction and a blockchain, which is a secure, verifiable communication channel.

Time-Lock Refund Transactions

If Bob refuses to give Alice his correct secret B₀ and also does not unlock his funds stored in address P_(B) ₁ then Bob's secret will not be revealed to Alice and she can never unlock her funds stored in P_(A) ₁ . Moreover, Alice can also never reclaim the funds she sent to Bob that are stored in P_(B) ₁ .

This problem can be solved by introducing a new transaction from Bob to Alice that is configured send the funds back after a certain amount of time if they are not spent. This also requires slightly modifying LockingScript(A) and LockingScript(B), which modification is described below.

This new transaction makes use of a time-dependent operation in the locking scripts that allows a transaction to be accepted by a block only after a certain pre-specified time has passed. For example, in Bitcoin script, this may be the operation Check Sequence Verify (CSV) for a relative amount of time since a specified value or Check Lock Time Verify (CLTV) for a fixed time value.

The locking scripts in step 4 above are modified to include the option of spending if both Alice and Bob agree to sign, as follows:

${{LockingScript}^{\prime}(A)} = \left\{ {{\begin{matrix} {{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{A_{1}} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{Solve}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( A_{0} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{Solve}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( B_{0} \right)}} \\ {{OR}{\mspace{574mu}\;}} \\ {{{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{A_{1}} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{B_{1}} \right)}}\mspace{155mu}} \end{matrix}{{LockingScript}^{\prime}(B)}} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{B_{1}} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{Solve}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( A_{0} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{Solve}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( B_{0} \right)}} \\ {{OR}{\mspace{574mu}\;}} \\ {{{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{A_{1}} \right)}\mspace{14mu}{AND}\mspace{14mu}{CheckSig}\mspace{14mu}{H\left( P_{B_{1}} \right)}}\mspace{155mu}} \end{matrix} \right.} \right.$

At 44, two new transactions are then created after step 4 and before step 5 in the method described above. Alice creates a transaction tx₄ from P_(A) ₁ to Bob that returns all of his funds. This transaction is time-locked such that it can only be accepted in a block after a certain amount of time, for example 24 hours. Bob creates a similar transaction tx₃ from P_(B) ₁ to Alice. The transactions tx₃ and tx₄ have respective locking scripts

LockingScript2(A)=CheckSig H(P _(A) _(i) ) AND CSV(24 hours)

LockingScript2(B)=CheckSig H(P _(B)) AND CSV(24 hours)

Alice signs tx₄ and sends it to Bob who signs and sends it to the network. Similarly, Bob signs tx₃ and sends it to Alice who signs and sends to the network.

At this stage, if neither party is compliant, the process is abandoned and no funds are transferred. If both parties are compliant, step 5 of the above method is performed (42). Now, if neither party spends the funds exchanged in the atomic swaps (46A), the funds will be returned to the original owners after 24 hours (48A, 50A).

Note that here a CSV relative time of 24 hours has been used as an example, but it would be possible to use any relative time in the future or any specific time in the future (using a CLTV operator, for example).

An example of a locking script of tx₃ that returns funds to Alice after 24 hours using the Bitcoin blockchain is

-   “24 h” OP_CHECKSEQUENCEVERIFY OP_DROP OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <Hash160     P_(A) ₁ > OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG

The corresponding unlocking script is given by <Sig P_(A) ₁ > <P_(A) ₁ >.

Masking of the Secret Values

A further, alternative embodiment includes masking steps 32 so that the values A₀ and B₀ are known only to Alice and Bob and never made public.

In the beginning Alice and Bob both agree on a shared secret S_(c) that only they know. This can be achieved through the secure exchange of a secret using the method described below, titled Determination of a common secret.

Alice and Bob then define the new secrets

A′ ₀ =A ₀ +S _(c)

B′ ₀ =B ₀ +S _(c).

They then proceed as in the method outlined above but with the masked secrets A′₀, B′₀ instead of the original secrets. During the atomic swap, only the masked secrets are revealed to the public on the blockchain.

This is useful if the secret values A₀ and B₀ are to be also used in other contexts, such as in further embodiments described below.

A further, alternative embodiment enables Alice and Bob to make a series of n atomic swaps. Each party starts with a random secret and create a sequence of hash values of this secret, which is called an access chain. When an atomic swap is performed it exposes the hash value of the next secret to be used in the next atomic swap. This process is repeated iterably up to a maximum of n times.

There are efficiency savings for this method over a series of individual swaps, in that less storage space is required for the secrets as Alice and Bob only need to store one secret at a time. They can calculate the next secret from hashing the previous secret. They need fewer rounds of communication between each other as they do not need to communicate the hash of their secret each time. This saves time and improves security.

The method is as follows:

Alice and Bob agree on a number n of repeat exchanges. They create a random value A_(n) and B_(n) respectively. Alice calculates the following access chain:

A_(n) = random A_(n − 1) = hash  (A_(n)) A_(n − 2) = hash  (A_(n − 1)) ⋮ A_(i − 1) = hash  (A_(i)) ⋮ A₀ = hash  (A₁)

Bob calculates an equivalent chain starting from B_(n). These chains correspond to secret values that will be used in a series of swaps. The number of possible swaps will be in the sequence {0, 1, . . . , n}. That is, the parties can use these values for the swap of between 0 and n transactions before needing to re-initialize a new chain.

The method for implementing the swaps is outlined below. It should be understood that Bob follows an equivalent process.

-   1. Alice starts with her chain A₀, A₁, . . . , A_(n), Bob's public     key P_(B) ₀ , and the hash of Bob's secret H(B₀). As before, H(B₀)     may be publically shared by Bob. -   2. Alice calculates the derived public keys

Alice: P _(A) ₁ =P _(A) ₀ +(H(A ₀)|H(B ₀))·G

Bob: P _(B) ₁ =P _(B) ₀ +(H(A ₀)|H(B ₀))·G,

-   -   and then the locking scripts

LockingScript(A)₀=CheckSig H(P _(A) _(i) ) AND Solve H(A ₀) Solve H(B ₀)

LockingScript(B)₀=CheckSig H(P _(B) _(i) ) AND Solve H(A ₀) Solve H(B ₀).

-   -   Note that the time dependent refund described in an earlier         embodiment could be included in the above locking scripts         without any substantive change to the logic.

-   3. Alice and Bob perform the first swap. As described above, this     involves the exchange of A₀ and B₀ between Alice and Bob. This means     that after the swap Alice now knows H(B₁)=B₀.

-   4. Alice repeats step 2 of the method, but with the hash of Bob's     second secret in the chain H(B₁). Explicitly, she calculates the     derived public keys

Alice: P _(A) ₂ =P _(A) ₁ +(H(A ₁)|H(B ₁))·G

Bob: P _(B) ₂ =P _(B) ₁ +(H(A ₁)|H(B ₁))·G,

-   -   and the locking scripts

LockingScript(A)₁=CheckSig H(P _(A) ₂ ) AND Solve H(A ₁) Solve H(B ₁)

LockingScript(B)₁=CheckSig H(P _(B) ₂ ) AND Solve H(A ₁) Solve H(B ₁).

-   5. Once the second swap has been completed Alice knows H(B₂)=B₁. She     repeats step 2 again with the hash of Bob's third secret H(B₂). -   6. This process is repeated iterably until either a swap is not     completed or the maximum number of n swaps has been reached.

As described in an earlier embodiment, further security may be incorporated by introducing a pseudo-random value Z_(i) to the operation H(A_(i))|H(B_(i))|Z_(i). In this case the function should transform every iteration for example by using a hash function Z_(i-1)=H(Z_(i)).

The atomic swap method outlined above is not restricted to the Bitcoin blockchain. An important component in the atomic swap method described above is that when one party spends their funds in step 7 they reveal their secret on the blockchain. This means that the above method may be used to perform an atomic swap on any blockchain that allows for locking and unlocking scripts of the form given in step 4.

Furthermore, the atomic swap method may be used to exchange cryptocurrencies. For example, it may be used for Alice to send Bitcoin to Bob on the Bitcoin blockchain and Bob to send Ethereum to Alice on the Ethereum blockchain.

Sends Receives Alice BCH Eth Bob Eth BCH

The only restriction on an atomic swap between two different blockchains is that they allow for the same hash function to be used in the hash puzzle in the locking scripts (or equivalent). The reason for this is as follows: suppose Alice's blockchain only allows for the use of an SHA-256 hashing algorithm and Bob's blockchain only allows for an SHA-384 algorithm. Bob sends Alice the SHA-256 hash of one secret, but in his locking script he sets a SHA-384 hash puzzle for a different secret. When he spends his funds the unlocking script will reveal a secret that is of no use to Alice, and Alice has no way of knowing this until Bob has already spent his funds.

According to a further embodiment, a method is provided which enables two parties to each create a public key for which the corresponding private keys are only made accessible either to both parties or neither party. The method makes use of the atomic swap method described above in order to exchange two secret values between both parties. These secret values are used to compute the private keys.

One application of this method is that it allows for two parties to exchange multiple types of cryptocurrencies that are controlled by a single public/private key pair.

This method enables Alice and Bob to each create a public key for which the private key is not known until an atomic swap has taken place. The atomic swap ensures that either both Alice and Bob can calculate their corresponding private keys or neither can calculate their private keys.

The method is described below using ECSDA private and public key pairs, as used for example in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dash. However, the method is not critically dependent on the ECDSA protocol and can be easily adapted to any public/private key based cryptography system, for which a new secure public key can be deterministically created from an existing private key and a publically known deterministic key.

The method is pseudonymous in the sense that partial information about the new private keys is stored on one or more blockchains, which are open ledgers. However, only the parties involved in the process are able to decode this information and thus security is never compromised.

-   1. Alice begins with a private key S_(A) with corresponding public     key P_(A)=S_(A)·G and a secret S₂ that only she knows. Bob begins     with a private key S_(B) with corresponding public key P_(B)=S_(B)·G     and a secret S₁ that only he knows. -   2. Alice sends Bob P₂=S₂·G and Bob sends Alice P₁=S₁·G. Since the     secrets are multiplied by the elliptic curve base point they are not     exposed in this process, and P₂ and P₁ may be publically known. -   3. Alice creates a new public key P_(AE)=P_(A)+P₁ which may be used     as an address in which to receive a bitcoin transaction (or similar     for alt-coins). Bob creates the new public key P_(BE)=P_(B)+P₂.

In accordance with the properties of elliptic curve cryptography, the corresponding private key to P_(AE) is S_(AE)=S_(A)+S₁, meaning that P_(AE)=S_(AE)·G. The corresponding private key to P_(BE) is S_(BE)=S_(B)+S₂.

At this stage, Alice does not know S₁, and therefore does not know the private key for P_(AE). Although Bob knows S₁, he does not know S_(A), and therefore also does not know the private key for P_(AE). By the same logic, neither Alice nor Bob know the private key for P_(BE).

-   4. Alice makes a transaction to Bob's address P_(BE) and Bob makes a     transaction to Alice's address P_(AE). These transactions may be the     exchange of any cryptocurrency that uses a public/private key     system, or they may transfer tokens or even physical assets to the     ownership of the public keys P_(AE) and P_(BE). It may also be a     combination of the above. -   5. Alice and Bob now initialize an atomic swap, as described above,     using any blockchain, with S₂ and S₁ as their respective secrets. -   6. Alice and Bob exchange secrets. This means that:

Sends Receives Alice S₂ S₁ Bob S₁ S₂

-   -   Alice and Bob may check that they have received the correct         secrets using the formulae P₁=S₁·G and P₂=S₂·G. If they do not         exchange the correct values, then they cannot spend the outputs         of the atomic swap.

-   7. Now Alice is in possession of S₁ she can calculate the private     key corresponding to P_(AE). Since no one other than Alice knows her     private key S_(A), no one else can calculate the private key     corresponding to P_(AE) even if S₁ is publically known. Similarly,     now that Bob is in possession of the secret S₂, he may calculate the     private key corresponding to P_(BE), and no one other than Bob can     do this.     -   If neither Alice nor Bob spends their transaction output of the         atomic swap, Alice's secret S₂ is not exposed to Bob, and Bob's         secret S₁ is not exposed to Alice. In this case, neither Alice         nor Bob are able to calculate the private keys corresponding to         P_(AE) and P_(BE).

Blockchains use public/private key encryption system to sign transactions and prove ownership of transaction outputs. This enables use of the method of the embodiment above to send transactions to P_(AE) and P_(BE) in several cryptocurrencies simultaneously. For example, after establishing P_(AE) and P_(BE) in step 3 above:

-   -   Alice moves funds in BCH and ETH to P_(BE).     -   Bob moves funds in BCH and DASH to P_(AE).

Once the atomic swap has been performed, the private keys to P_(BE) and P_(AE) are unlocked. These unlock the funds in the Bitcoin and Ethereum public key held by Alice, and the Bitcoin and Dash public key held by Bob. Hence, the following transactions from Alice to Bob can be completed securely

Sends Receives Alice BCH, Eth BCH, DASH Bob BCH, DASH BCH, Eth

Note that these blockchains do not have to allow for the same hash functions in their locking scripts.

Provided above are general methods for two parties to unlock public keys through the exchange of secrets using an atomic swap. This has applications beyond the exchange of cryptocurrencies, and is relevant to any system using a public/private key cryptography scheme similar to that of ECDSA. For example, other use cases include, but are not limited to:

-   -   1. Providing access to a Distributed Hash Table (DHT);     -   2. Encrypted calculations;     -   3. Private email clients;     -   4. Access to logistics data and exchanges;     -   5. Swaps of goods and services;     -   6. Private exchange of value; and     -   7. Hierarchy of keys.

Determination of a Common Secret

Where appropriate, security may be increased by using a secure method of the exchange of information between two parties using a public/private key system such as that described below.

A common secret (CS) can be established between two parties and then used to generate a secure encryption key for transmission of one or more of the shares. The Common Secret (CS) is generated and used to enable secure exchange of any Secret (S_(A,B,1,2)) e.g. secret value, key or share thereof.

Hereafter, for the sake of convenience, Alice and Bob will be referred to as a first node (C) a second node (S). The aim is to generate a common (CS) secret which both nodes know but without that common secret having been sent via a communication channel, thus eliminating the possibility of its unauthorised discovery.

The secure transmission technique involves the CS being generated at each end of the transmission in an independent manner, so that while both nodes know the CS it has not had to travel over potentially unsecure communication channels. Once that CS has been established at both ends, it can be used to generate a secure encryption key that both nodes can use for communication thereafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 1 that includes a first node 3 which is in communication with a second node 7 over a communications network 5. The first node 3 has an associated first processing device 23 and the second node 5 has an associated second processing device 27. The first and second nodes 3, 7 may include an electronic device, such as a computer, phone, tablet computer, mobile communication device, computer server etc. In one example, the first node 3 may be a client (user) device and the second node 7 may be a server. The server may be a digital wallet provider's server.

The first node 3 is associated with a first asymmetric cryptography pair having a first node master private key (V_(1C)) and a first node master public key (P_(1C)). The second node (7) is associated with a second asymmetric cryptography pair having a second node master private key (V_(1S)) and a second node master public key (P_(1S)). In other words, the first and second nodes are each in possession of respective public-private key pairs.

The first and second asymmetric cryptography pairs for the respective first and second nodes 3, 7 may be generated during a registration process, such as registration for a wallet. The public key for each node may be shared publicly, such as over communications network 5.

To determine the common secret (CS) at both the first node 3 and second node 7, the nodes 3, 7 perform steps of respective methods 300, 400 without communicating private keys over the communications network 5.

The method 300 performed by the first node 3 includes determining 330 a first node second private key (V_(2C)) based on at least the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and a Generator Value (GV). The Generator Value may be based on a message (M) that is a shared between the first and second nodes, which may include sharing the message over the communications network 5 as described in further detail below. The method 300 also includes determining 370 a second node second public key (P_(2S)) based on at least the second node master public key (P_(1S)) and the Generator Value (GV). The method 300 includes determining 380 the common secret (CS) based on the first node second private key (V_(2C)) and the second node second public key (P_(2S)).

The same common secret (CS) can also be determined at the second node 7 by method 400. The method 400 includes determining 430 a first node second public key (P_(2C)) based on the first node master public key (P_(1C)) and the Generator Value (GV). The method 400 further includes determining 470 a second node second private key (V_(2S)) based on the second node master private key (V_(1S)) and the Generator Value (GV). The method 400 includes determining 480 the common secret (CS) based on the second node second private key (V_(2S)) and the first node second public key (P_(2C)).

The communications network 5 may include a local area network, a wide area network, cellular networks, radio communication network, the internet, etc. These networks, where data may be transmitted via communications medium such as electrical wire, fibre optic, or wirelessly may be susceptible to eavesdropping, such as by an eavesdropper 11. The method 300, 400 may allow the first node 3 and second node 7 to both independently determine a common secret without transmitting the common secret over the communications network 5.

Thus one advantage is that the common secret (CS) may be determined securely and independently by each node without having to transmit a private key over a potentially unsecure communications network 5. In turn, the common secret may be used as a secret key (or as the basis of a secret key) for encrypted communication between the first and second nodes 3, 7 over the communications network 5.

The methods 300, 400 may include additional steps. The method 300 may include, at the first node 3, generating a signed message (SM1) based on the message (M) and the first node second private key (V_(2C)). The method 300 further includes sending 360 the first signed message (SM1), over the communications network, to the second node 7. In turn, the second node 7 may perform the steps of receiving 440 the first signed message (SM1). The method 400 also includes the step of validating 450 the first signed message (SM2) with the first node second public key (P_(2C)) and authenticating 460 the first node 3 based on the result of validating the first signed message (SM1). Advantageously, this allows the second node 7 to authenticate that the purported first node (where the first signed message was generated) is the first node 3. This is based on the assumption that only the first node 3 has access to the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and therefore only the first node 3 can determine the first node second private key (V_(2C)) for generating the first signed message (SM1). It is to be appreciated that similarly, a second signed message (SM2) can be generated at the second node 7 and sent to the first node 3 such that the first node 3 can authenticate the second node 7, such as in a peer-to-peer scenario.

Sharing the message (M) between the first and second nodes may be achieved in a variety of ways. In one example, the message may be generated at the first node 3 which is then sent, over the communications network 5, the second node 7. Alternatively, the message may be generated at the second node 7 and then sent, over the communications network 5, to the second node 7. In yet another example, the message may be generated at a third node 9 and the message sent to both the first and second nodes 3, 7. In yet another alternative, a user may enter the message through a user interface 15 to be received by the first and second nodes 3, 7. In yet another example, the message (M) may be retrieved from a data store 19 and sent to the first and second nodes 3, 7. In some examples, the message (M) may be public and therefore may be transmitted over an unsecure network 5.

In further examples, one or more messages (M) may be stored in a data store 13, 17, 19, where the message may be associated with some entity such as digital wallet, or a communication session established between the first node 3 and the second node 7. Thus the messages (M) may be retrieved and used to recreate, at the respective first and second nodes 3, 7, the common secret (CS) associated with that wallet or session.

Advantageously, a record to allow recreation of the common secret (CS) may be kept without the record by itself having to be stored privately or transmitted securely. This may be advantageous if numerous transactions are performed at the first and second nodes 3, 7 and it would be impractical to store all the messages (M) at the nodes themselves.

An example of a method of registration 100, 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, where method 100 is performed by the first node 3 and method 200 is performed by the second node 7. This includes establishing the first and second asymmetric cryptography pairs for the respective first and second nodes 3, 7.

The asymmetric cryptography pairs include associated private and public keys, such as those used in public-key encryption. In this example, the asymmetric cryptography pairs are generated using Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and properties of elliptic curve operations.

Standards for ECC may include known standards such as those described by the Standards for Efficient Cryptography Group (www.sceg.org). Elliptic curve cryptography is also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,600,725, 5,761,305, 5,889,865, 5,896,455, 5,933,504, 6,122,736, 6,141,420, 6,618,483, 6,704,870, 6,785,813, 6,078,667, 6,792,530.

In the method 100, 200, this includes the first and second nodes agreeing 110, 210 on a common ECC system and using a base point (G). (Note: the base point could be referred to as a Common Generator, but the term ‘base point’ is used to avoid confusion with the Generator Value GV). In one example, the common ECC system may be based on secp256K1 which is an ECC system used by Bitcoin. The base point (G) may be selected, randomly generated, or assigned.

Turning now to the first node 3, the method 100 includes settling 110 on the common ECC system and base point (G). This may include receiving the common ECC system and base point from the second node 7, or a third node 9. Alternatively, a user interface 15 may be associated with the first node 3, whereby a user may selectively provide the common ECC system and/or base point (G). In yet another alternative one or both of the common ECC system and/or base point (G) may be randomly selected by the first node 3. The first node 3 may send, over the communications network 5, a notice indicative of using the common ECC system with a base point (G) to the second node 7. In turn, the second node 7 may settle 210 by sending a notice indicative of an acknowledgment to using the common ECC system and base point (G).

The method 100 also includes the first node 3 generating 120 a first asymmetric cryptography pair that includes the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and the first node master public key (P_(1C)). This includes generating the first master private key (V_(1C)) based, at least in part, on a random integer in an allowable range specified in the common ECC system. This also includes determining the first node master public key (P_(1C)) based on elliptic curve point multiplication of the first node master private key (P_(1C)) and the base point (G) according to the formula:

P _(1C) =V _(1C) ×G  (Equation 1)

Thus the first asymmetric cryptography pair includes:

-   -   V_(1C): The first node master private key that is kept secret by         the first node.     -   P_(1C): The first node master public key that is made publicly         known.

The first node 3 may store the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and the first node master public key (P_(1C)) in a first data store 13 associated with the first node 3. For security, the first node master private key (V_(1C)) may be stored in a secure portion of the first data store 13 to ensure the key remains private.

The method 100 further includes sending 130 the first node master public key (P_(1C)), over the communications network 5, to the second node 7. The second node 7 may, on receiving 220 the first node master public key (P_(1C)), store 230 the first node master public key (P_(1C)) in a second data store 17 associated with the second node 7.

Similar to the first node 3, the method 200 of the second 7 includes generating 240 a second asymmetric cryptography pair that includes the second node master private key (V_(1S)) and the second node master public key (P_(1S)). The second node master private key (V_(1S)) is also a random integer within the allowable range. In turn, the second node master public key (P_(1S)) is determined by the following formula:

P _(1S) =V _(1S) ×G  (Equation 2)

Thus the second asymmetric cryptography pair includes:

-   -   V_(1S): The second node master private key that is kept secret         by the second node.     -   P_(1S): The second node master public key that is made publicly         known.

The second node 7 may store the second asymmetric cryptography pair in the second data store 17. The method 200 further includes sending 250 the second node master public key (P_(1S)) to the first node 3. In turn, the first node 3 may receive 140 and stores 150 the second node master public key (P_(1S)).

It is to be appreciated that in some alternatives, the respective public master keys may be received and stored at a third data store 19 associated with the third node 9 (such as a trusted third party). This may include a third party that acts as a public directory, such as a certification authority. Thus in some examples, the first node master public key (P_(1C)) may requested and received by the second node 7 only when determining the common secret (CS) is required (and vice versa).

The registration steps may only need to occur once as an initial setup of, for example, the digital wallet.

An example of determining a common secret (CS) will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. The common secret (CS) may be used for a particular session, time, transaction, or other purpose between the first node 3 and the second node 7 and it may not be desirable, or secure, to use the same common secret (CS). Thus the common secret (CS) may be changed between different sessions, time, transactions, etc.

The following is provided for illustration of the secure transmission technique which has been described above.

In this example, the method 300 performed by the first node 3 includes generating 310 a message (M). The message (M) may be random, pseudo random, or user defined. In one example, the message (M) is based on Unix time and a nonce (and arbitrary value). For example, the message (M) may be provided as:

Message (M)=UnixTime+nonce  (Equation 3)

In some examples, the message (M) is arbitrary. However it is to be appreciated that the message (M) may have selective values (such as Unix Time, etc) that may be useful in some applications.

The method 300 includes sending 315 the message (M), over the communications network 3, to the second node 7. The message (M) may be sent over an unsecure network as the message (M) does not include information on the private keys.

The method 300 further includes the step of determining 320 a Generator Value (GV) based on the message (M). In this example, this includes determining a cryptographic hash of the message. An example of a cryptographic hash algorithm includes SHA-256 to create a 256-bit Generator Value (GV). That is:

GV=SHA-256(M)  (Equation 4)

It is to be appreciated that other hash algorithms may be used. This may include other has algorithms in the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) family. Some particular examples include instances in the SHA-3 subset, including SHA3-224, SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512, SHAKE128, SHAKE256. Other hash algorithms may include those in the RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation Message Digest (RIPEMD) family. A particular example may include RIPEMD-160. Other hash functions may include families based on Zémor-Tillich hash function and knapsack-based hash functions.

The method 300 then includes the step 330 of determining 330 the first node second private key (V_(2C)) based on the second node master private key (V_(1C)) and the Generator Value (GV). This can be based on a scalar addition of the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and the Generator Value (GV) according to the following formula:

V _(2C) =V _(1C)+GV  (Equation 5)

Thus the first node second private key (V_(2C)) is not a random value but is instead deterministically derived from the first node master private key. The corresponding public key in the cryptographic pair, namely the first node second public key (P_(2C)), has the following relationship:

P _(2C) =V _(2C) ×G  (Equation 6)

Substitution of V_(2C) from Equation 5 into Equation 6 provides:

P _(2C)=(V _(1C)+GV)×G  (Equation 7)

where the ‘+’ operator refers to elliptic curve point addition. Noting that elliptic curve cryptography algebra is distributive, Equation 7 may be expressed as:

P _(2C) =V _(1C) ×G+GV×G  (Equation 8)

Finally, Equation 1 may be substituted into Equation 7 to provide:

P _(2C) =P _(1C)+GV×G  (Equation 9.1)

P _(2C) =P _(1C)+SHA-256(M)×G  (Equation 9.2)

Thus the corresponding first node second public key (P_(2C)) can be derivable given knowledge of the first node master public key (P_(1C)) and the message (M). The second node 7 may have such knowledge to independently determine the first node second public key (P_(2C)) as will be discussed in further detail below with respect to the method 400.

The method 300 further includes generating 350 a first signed message (SM1) based on the message (M) and the determined first node second private key (V_(2C)). Generating a signed message includes applying a digital signature algorithm to digitally sign the message (M). In one example, this includes applying the first node second private key (V_(2C)) to the message in an Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to obtain the first signed message (SM1).

Examples of ECDSA include those based on ECC systems with secp256k1, secp256r1, secp384r1, se3cp521r1.

The first signed message (SM1) can be verified with the corresponding first node second public key (P_(2C)) at the second node 7. This verification of the first signed message (SM1) may be used by the second node 7 to authenticate the first node 3, which will be discussed in the method 400 below.

The first node 3 may then determine 370 a second node second public key (P_(2S)). As discussed above, the second node second public key (P_(2S)) may be based at least on the second node master public key (P_(1S)) and the Generator Value (GV). In this example, since the public key is determined 370′ as the private key with elliptic curve point multiplication with the base point (G), the second node second public key (P_(2S)) can be expressed, in a fashion similar to Equation 6, as:

P _(2S) =V _(2S) ×G  (Equation 10.1)

P _(2S) =P _(1S)+GV×G  (Equation 10.2)

The mathematical proof for Equation 10.2 is the same as described above for deriving Equation 9.1 for the first node second public key (P_(2C)). It is to be appreciated that the first node 3 can determine 370 the second node second public key independently of the second node 7.

The first node 3 may then determine 380 the common secret (CS) based on the determined first node second private key (V_(2C)) and the determined second node second public key (P_(2S)). The common secret (CS) may be determined by the first node 3 by the following formula:

S=V _(2C) ×P _(2S)  (Equation 11)

Method 400 Performed at the Second Node 7

The corresponding method 400 performed at the second node 7 will now be described. It is to be appreciated that some of these steps are similar to those discussed above that were performed by the first node 3.

The method 400 includes receiving 410 the message (M), over the communications network 5, from the first node 3. This may include the message (M) sent by the first node 3 at step 315. The second node 7 then determines 420 a Generator Value (GV) based on the message (M). The step of determining 420 the Generator Value (GV) by the second node 7 is similar to the step 320 performed by the first node described above. In this example, the second node 7 performs this determining step 420 independent of the first node 3.

The next step includes determining 430 a first node second public key (P_(2C)) based on the first node master public key (P_(1C)) and the Generator Value (GV). In this example, since the public key is determined 430′ as the private key with elliptic curve point multiplication with the base point (G), the first node second public key (P_(2C)) can be expressed, in a fashion similar to Equation 9, as:

P _(2C) =V _(2C) ×G  (Equation 12.1)

P _(2C) =P _(1C)+GV×G  (Equation 12.2)

The mathematical proof for Equations 12.1 and 12.2 is the same as those discussed above for Equations 10.1 and 10.2.

The method 400 may include steps performed by the second node 7 to authenticate that the alleged first node 3, is the first node 3. As discussed previously, this includes receiving 440 the first signed message (SM1) from the first node 3. The second node 7 may then validate 450 the signature on the first signed message (SM1) with the first node second public key (P_(2C)) that was determined at step 430.

Verifying the digital signature may be done in accordance with an Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) as discussed above. Importantly, the first signed message (SM1) that was signed with the first node second private key (V_(2C)) should only be correctly verified with the corresponding first node second public key (P_(2C)), since V_(2C) and P_(2C) form a cryptographic pair. Since these keys are deterministic on the first node master private key (V_(1C)) and the first node master public key (P_(1C)) that were generated at registration of the first node 3, verifying first signed message (SM1) can be used as a basis of authenticating that an alleged first node sending the first signed message (SM1) is the same first node 3 during registration. Thus the second node 7 may further perform the step of authenticating (460) the first node 3 based on the result of validating (450) the first signed message.

The above authentication may be suitable for scenarios where one of the two nodes is a trusted node and only one of the nodes need to be authenticated. For example, the first node 3 may be a client and the second node 7 may be a server trusted by the client such as a wallet provider. Thus the server (second node 7) may need to authenticate the credentials of the client (first node 3) in order to allow the client access to the server system. It may not be necessary for the server to be authenticate the credentials of the server to the client. However in some scenarios, it may be desirable for both nodes to be authenticated to each other, such as in a peer-to-peer scenario.

The method 400 may further include the second node 7 determining 470 a second node second private key (V_(2S)) based on the second node master private key (V_(1S)) and the Generator Value (GV). Similar to step 330 performed by the first node 3, the second node second private key (V_(2S)) can be based on a scalar addition of the second node master private key (V_(1S)) and the Generator Value (GV) according to the following formulas:

V _(2S) =V _(1S)±GV  (Equation 13.1)

V _(2S) =V _(1S)+SHA-256(M)  (Equation 13.2)

The second node 7 may then, independent of the first node 3, determine 480 the common secret (CS) based on the second node second private key (V_(2S)) and the first node second public key (P_(2C)) based on the following formula:

S=V _(2S) ×P _(2C)  (Equation 14)

The common secret (CS) determined by the first node 3 is the same as the common secret (CS) determined at the second node 7. Mathematical proof that Equation 11 and Equation 14 provide the same common secret (CS) will now be described.

Turning to the common secret (CS) determined by the first node 3, Equation 10.1 can be substituted into Equation 11 as follows:

S=V _(2C) ×P2S  (Equation 11)

S=V _(2C)×(V _(2S) ×G)

S=(V _(2C) ×V _(2S))×G  (Equation 15)

Turning to the common secret (CS) determined by the second node 7, Equation 12.1 can be substituted into Equation 14 as follows:

S=V _(2S) ×P _(2C)  (Equation 14)

S=V _(2S)×(V _(2C) ×G)

S=(V _(2S) ×V _(2C))×G  (Equation 16)

Since ECC algebra is commutative, Equation 15 and Equation 16 are equivalent, since:

S=(V _(2C) ×V _(2S))×G=(V _(2S) ×V _(2C))×G  (Equation 17)

The common secret (CS) may now be used as a secret key, or as the basis of a secret key in a symmetric-key algorithm for secure communication between the first node 3 and second node 7. This communication may be used to convey part of a private key, a representation of or identifier for a private key, or mnemonic for a private key. Therefore, once the invention has been used during set-up of, for example, a digital wallet or other controlled resource, secure communication between the parties can be performed thereafter.

The common secret (CS) may be in the form of an elliptic curve point (x_(S), y_(S)). This may be converted into a standard key format using standard publicly known operations agreed by the nodes 3, 7. For example, the x_(S) value may be a 256-bit integer that could be used as a key for AES₂₅₆ encryption. It could also be converted into a 160-bit integer using RIPEMD160 for any applications requiring this length key.

The common secret (CS) may be determined as required. Importantly, the first node 3 does not need to store the common secret (CS) as this can be re-determined based on the message (M). In some examples, the message(s) (M) used may be stored in data store 13, 17, 19 (or other data store) without the same level of security as required for the master private keys. In some examples, the message (M) may be publicly available.

However depending on some application, the common secret (CS) could be stored in the first data store (X) associated with the first node provided the common secret (CS) is kept as secure as the first node master private key (V_(1C)).

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. 

1. A computer-implemented security method, the method comprising the steps of: (i) converting a first secret value accessible to a first user into a first derived public key, and transmitting the first derived public key to a second user; (ii) converting a second secret value accessible to the second user into a second derived public key, and transmitting the second derived public key to the first user; (iii) calculating a third derived public key based at least in part on the first derived public key; (iv) calculating a fourth derived public key based at least in part on the second derived public key; (v) applying a one-way function to each of the first secret value and the second secret value to create respective first and second veiled secret values; (vi) communicating the first veiled secret value from the first user to the second user and the second veiled secret value from the second user to the first user; and (vii) constructing first and second blockchain transactions each comprising the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value, the first and second blockchain transactions arranged to be unlockable to transfer control of a respective first or second resource upon provision of both the first secret value and the second secret value to a respective blockchain transaction, wherein unlocking of the first blockchain transaction causes the first secret value to be revealed to the second user, and unlocking of the second blockchain transaction causes the second secret value to be revealed to the first user, and wherein revelation of the first secret value to the second user enables the second user to calculate a second private key corresponding to the third derived public key, and revelation of the second secret value to the first user enables the first user to calculate a first private key corresponding to the fourth derived public key.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first blockchain transaction and the second blockchain transaction is configured to be redeemable only upon application of the first private key and second private key.
 3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of calculating at least one of: (a) a first derived public key based at least in part on a first public key of the first user; and (b) a second derived public key based at least in part of a second public key of the second user, wherein the first derived public key is part of a cryptographic key pair with the first private key and the second derived public key is part of a cryptographic key pair with the second private key.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of calculating at least one of: (a) the first derived public key based at least in part on the first public key of the first user; and (b) the second derived public key based at least in part on the second public key of the second user further comprises a combination of the first and second veiled secret values.
 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the combination of the first and second veiled secret values comprises at least one of a concatenation of the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value, and a concatenation of at least one veiled secret value with a random or pseudo-random value.
 6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of constructing at least one of: a third blockchain transaction configured to return control of the first resource to the first user responsive to elapse of a first time period of non-redemption of the first blockchain transaction; and a fourth blockchain transaction configured to return control of the second resource to the second user responsive to elapse of a second time period of non-redemption of the second blockchain transaction.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first veiled secret value and the second veiled secret value comprises a combination of at least one of the first secret value and the second secret value with a shared secret value accessible by both the first user and second user.
 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the shared secret value is established prior to step (i) as a common secret (CS).
 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps: (viii) generating at least one sequence of veiled secret values starting from at least one of the first secret value and the second secret value; (ix) executing the method of any preceding claim using at least one of the first secret value and the second secret value; and (x) redeeming at least one blockchain transaction to reveal at least one of the first secret value and the second secret value, thereby causing at least one veiled secret value of the at least one sequence to be revealed.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein constructing the first and second blockchain transactions uses at least one veiled secret value revealed in step (x).
 11. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform the method of claim
 1. 12. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform the method of claim
 2. 13. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform the method of claim
 6. 14. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform the method of claim
 7. 15. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform the method of claim
 9. 16. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform the method of claim
 1. 17. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform the method of claim
 2. 18. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform the method of claim
 6. 19. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform the method of claim
 7. 20. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors of a computer system to cause the computer system to perform the method of claim
 9. 